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Age Concern: Fuel poverty action urgently needed

Age Concern has said that a new fuel poverty package needs to be urgently implemented.

The charity made the statement as it warned that the government's recently-announced package does not go far enough.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, welcomed increased cold weather payments and acknowledged that energy efficiency measures are needed in the long term - but argued that "wider pricing reforms are desperately needed".

He said: "As part of wider reforms, action needs to be taken to improve social tariffs - which are currently unfit for purpose - and address pricing inequalities leaving poorer households paying higher rates."

Mr Lishman stated that such measures need to be taken because millions of pensioners are struggling to meet the costs of their bills.

Meanwhile another leading charity, Help the Aged, has made similar comments, stating that the winter fuel payment should be significantly increased.

Help the Aged also argued that the fuel providers need to do more to ensure that vulnerable customers are on the most cost-effective tariffs.